Module 4:module 4.docx Name of Organization:
Cook Primary School


Summary
Cook Primary School will improve reading fluency scores through the use of handheld iPod touches. Students will work individually and in groups on applications downloaded on the iPods. With the use of the iPods the goal would be that the first and second grade students will improve reading fluency test scores on a test called STEEP given three times a year.



Founded/ Location:
Cook Primary School is located in a small rual town in Cook County in Adel, Geergia. Cook Primary School serves grades PreK- 2. The school previously housed K-5 until 2003 when the 3-5 grade moved into a new school and the Pre-K moved into this building. The name changed from Cook Elementry School to Cook Primary School after the change.



Mission:
.The Cook County School System will provide all students with an exemplary education, which will meet the diverse needs of individual students in a positive and safe environment while preparing them for academic success, productive citizenship, and lifelong learning.


Vision:


The Cook County School System envisions a professional team of educators fostering community partnerships with the purpose of inspiring students to reach their individual potential. We envision a standards based, inclusive, and challenging curriculum that stimulates learning and creativity in a positive and safe environment.




Goals:
The organization's goals are to provide a quality edcation with all students learning through technology, physical education, and music classs. Students will be provided a quaility education in thier classrooms to meet the Georgia Performance Standards provided by the state.


Clientele:

The clientele consists of the teachers,the students, the parents, the community, superintendent ,principal, and assistant superintendent.

Key Personnel
Timmie Baker (principal), Becky Ratts ( Curriculum Director), Lance Head ( Superintendent), Laural Heard (Technology Coordinator for Primary School).


Websites:

http://cps.cook.k12.ga.us/ School Website


http://www.cook.k12.ga.us/ County Website

Annual Reports:
Reports can be obtained from the board of education office. A technology budget for Cook Primary School can be obtained from Laural Heard technology coordinator at Cook Primary School.





Human Performance Problem (Performance Gap)

Why do you think this problem developed?


Upon doing further research with my curriculum director I plan to now focus on our English as a Second Language population at our school. This subgroup of students are the ones who are consistently having the most trouble meeting the target fluency rate at 60 words per minute in first grade and 90 words per minute in second grade. I believe this problem developed as a result of the increase in the number of ESOL students that are enrolling each year into the school system and the lack of training for the teachers to teach the students in an inclusive classroom.

Why does this gap exist?

This gap exists because the students have a language barrier that needs to be met. The use if iPod touches could provide additional support and reinforce many of the reading skills to improve reading fluency.


Additional Information that would be Helpful for the Intervention:


· The amount of time ESOL students spend in the regular classroom.
· Steep test scores of the last three years for ESOL sub groups of students.
·
Intervention strategies already in place for the students below the target goal.

Time Period:

Since the target for first grade is 60 words per min the desired goal would be to have two goals per year:
Goal 1: 30 words per min at the half way point of first grade (90 days).
Goal 2: 60 words per min at the end of the school term (180 days).

Second grade's goal is 90 words per min:
Goal 1: 45 words per min at the half way point (90 days).

Goal 2: 90 words per min (180 days).





Three Intervenrion Strategies:

The following are three strategies proposed to help improve the reading fluency scores of the English as Second Language Learners (ESOL ). The strategies presented will consist of a low level strategy, a middle or medium cost intervention strategy, and a high cost intervention,

Low Cost Strategy:
The first strategy would consist of purchasing 15 iPod touches at price of about $3,000. The price of applications for use on the Ipod woud range in price from free -$19.00 The iPod touches would be housed in the ESOL classroom and be used by the ESOL teacher. The ESOL teacher would be the only one that had access to the use of them and they would most likely not use them on a daily basis. Also the students are only in their ESOL classroom for one fifty min segent a day. This strategy could have the potential to being a type of technology that is not monitored and could be put to the side.

Medium Cost Strategy:
The medium cost strategy would require the purchase of eighty iPods. Ten for each classrom that has ESOL students. There are four first grade classes and four second grade classes. THe cost for eighty iPods would be about $16,000.00. Since these classrooms also have students who are not ESOL and would be sharing the iPods a class set of earbuds would need to be purchased. The cost is aout $10.00 per child with about 160 students for a price of $1,600.00. Each teacher would need a docking station and a compuer to sync the iPods.


High Cost Stategy:
The high cost strategy would consist of having a resource classrom that the ESOL students as well as other students can go to for additional support. This classroom would need a resource teacher at a cost of about $28,000 (starting salary). A set of ten iPods at a cost of about $2,000, applications, training for the iPods, a compuer for syncing the iPods, and a docking station. This strategy would be very beneficial because the students could go to the lab for extra support on a daily basis. The students can be working directly with the teacher and work on target skills at probably at a quicker rate than using them in the classroom.


All of the strategies above could work to improve a child's reading fluency. However, the ideal situation would be the high cost strategy but wiih the budget cuts it is also the one that would most likely not be adopted. All of the strategies put technology in the hands of the students and also increase learning in an engaging way.